Musculo-skeletal adaptations to exercise, disuse, disease and ageing

The main focus of this research area is the study how the structure and function of human muscles, tendons and joints are all altered in response to:

• acute exercise and exercise training
• chronic disuse (for example immobilization following a spinal cord injury, during a space flight or enforced confinement)
• ageing

Muscles, tendons and joints are being studied in vivo, using non-invasive scanning techniques such as ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to establish structural adaptation and their functional consequences.

These studies enhance our knowledge on the biomechanical factors involved in the transmission of contractile forces to the skeleton to produce movement and provide crucial information as to how we can best intervene to ameliorate deteriorations in musculoskeletal structure and function, and improve daily mobility and athletic performance.

Ultrasound scanners dedicated for in vivo muscle and tendon research are available at the RISES and links with other institutes exist for accessing MRI and fluoroscopy scanning facilities and the study of joint structure and function.

Our staff

• Prof Costis Maganaris
• Prof Tom O’Brien
• Prof Bill Baltzopoulos
• Dr  Theo Bampouras

Primary contact

• Prof Costis Maganaris